July Notes of Interest
Back 2 School Drive
From July 7th until July 29th, there will be a box located in our lobby to collect school supplies for local families in need. The Back 2 School Alliance has traditionally compiled over 2000 backpacks full of school supplies each year to help those families that may not be able to afford supplies for their children. Below are some ideas of things they like to collect. The alliance has stated that they are most in need of the backpacks and zippered binders for 9th graders, but will greatly appreciate anything you would like to donate. (Please do not donate used items.)
Late Payment Policy
As you all know, we have a late payment policy per our financial agreement. Up until this point, we have been fairly lax in charging the late payment fees when applicable. However, with the upcoming changes in the state wages, it will now be necessary for us to be firm on all of the financial policies that are laid out in our financial agreement.
You can view a full copy of the financial agreement here for more in-depth information on the policy and our various fee structures, but for now here is a brief summary on late payments:
1) Payments should be made on the first day of care for each week. However, we know life happens and you may forget to make your payment on a busy Monday morning, so there is a grace period in our agreement. If the payment is not turned in by your third day of care each week, then a $20 late payment fee will be invoiced to your account.
2) If a check is returned from the bank, a $30 NSF fee will be charged.
3) If you do not pay your tuition for more than two weeks in a row, we reserve the right to end care for your child until payments can be made.
4) If payments are not made, we reserve the right to turn your account over to a collection
agency.
Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser
We will continue the Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser this month to raise further funds for lending library materials. You can find an order form at the front desk.
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Staff Kudos
Do you have any positive moments you want to share about our staff? If so, we want to hear them! We have created a new Google form called Katie's Kids Kudos. The form is easy for you to access from home, so no need to take extra time at pick up and drop off. Simply click on the button below, fill out the form, and submit. We will be sure to share these positive moments with our staff, as well.
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July 2nd:
P.A.C. Meeting 5pm
July 4th: Closed for Independence Day
July 13th: SNL @ K2 5:00pm - 10:00pm
July 20th: Open House
August 16th: Closed for Professional Development Day
Please click
here
to view the Katie's Kids Center Closure list for 2019.
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Help spread the word of Katie's Kids!
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or colleague looking for care? For every family you refer to Katie's Kids we will apply a $50 credit to your account after the family has been with us for 90 days.
If they sign up at our Open House on July 20th, we will waive the $90 enrollment fee for their child(ren)!
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Saturday Night Live
Saturday, July 13th
5:00 -10:00 p.m.
Enjoy a night out on your own! We will watch your kids. Children ages 3+ have the opportunity to watch a movie and use their artistic abilities to create a masterpiece of their choice! Free play activities will be set up for children under the age of 3 years. If you have any questions please ask the KKLC Leadership Team.
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Our holiday is almost here! We know you and your family will be celebrating with those you love. Here are a few tips on remaining safe as you enjoy your day!
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Community Connections
Our community has great things to offer families! This section of the newsletter is to help you connect to the variety of community events
occurring
in the Bloomington/Normal area. Enjoy!
4th of July at Miller Park
Miller park has a fun day planned on the 4th of July complete with mini golf, splash pad, fireworks, and the Park 2 Park 5 mile run. See here for more details.
Sugar Creek Arts Festival
The art festival is being held in Uptown Normal on July 13th & 14th. Click here for more details.
Mclean County Fair
The Mclean County Fair begins on July 31st at the Interstate Center. Click here for more details and events occurring over the 5 day event.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Children under age 5 can earn a free tote bag by reading 1000 books before Kindergarten. Click here for more information.
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Click here to view the 2018 - 2019 Season of Events
Children's Discovery Museum
Click here for the Summer 2018/2019 schedule of events
Corn Crib Car Show
The Corn Crib Car show will be held in August, but tickets go on sale starting May 9th. Click here for more information.
Cornbelters
Click here to view the Cornbelters summer schedule.
Downtown Bloomington First Friday Events
On the first Friday of each month Downtown Bloomington businesses showcase their wares and artisitc abilities. Click here for more information and here for a list of highlights for the month of March.
Open Cockpit Day
The next Open Cockpit Day is July 20th. Click here to view more information.
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July is national picnic month! Consider packing a picnic with your child and enjoying the meal at your favorite outdoor location. Not only is eating outside fun, but it can be an educational activity as well. Let your child help pack the basket and discuss what types of foods you are including (color, shapes, smells, nutritional value, etc). Once outside, talk about what you see and feel around you (heat from the sun, tickly grass, busy ants, cloud shapes, etc.)
Click
here for some fun games to play while on your picnic.
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Loose Parts Donations
We, at Katie's Kids, would like to keep utilizing loose parts in our classrooms throughout the year. Therefore, we are inviting parents and families that are interested to keep the supplies coming! If you choose to donate you can drop the materials off at the front desk at any time!
Be sure to look through our center for how the loose parts are being used within the curriculum!
Thank you in advance for your donations, we look forward to seeing the creativity that stems from all of the materials!
Our Focus this Month:
- Fabric Pieces
- Yarn
- Cardboard Glow Stick Containers
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Meals to Go
Did you know? In order to make our foot print a little less on this Earth, we use reusable food containers for our Meals to Go! We kindly ask that you rinse your containers and return them to the front desk at your earliest
convenience
. We will wash and sanitize these containers to be used for our next meals.
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July 4th
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July 11th
Shrimp Scampi
Garlic Bread
Fruit Cup
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July 18th
Southwest Shredded Chicken Burrito
House Salad
Chocolate Chip Bars
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July 25th
Mesquite Porkchops
Mixed Veggie Skewer
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
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Getting Healthier...
At Katie's Kids Learning Center, we are committed to providing the best possible nutrition to you and your family. We hope you enjoy the following recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds (6 medium) summer squash and/or zucchini
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated pepper jack or sharp white cheddar cheese
- Grate the squash into a colander using the large holes of a box grater (or use a food processor fitted with the shredding attachment). Toss with 1 tablespoon salt, then let drain in the sink, 30 to 40 minutes. Squeeze the squash to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Set aside 3 tablespoons scallion greens. Add the remaining scallions (white and green parts), the jalapeno, and salt to taste and cook until the scallions are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the shredded squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in the parsley, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Cook until the mixture is slightly dry, about 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and let cool, 5 minutes.
- Spread the squash evenly in the skillet. Make six 2 1/2-inch-wide indentations in the mixture with the back of a spoon; put 1/2 teaspoon butter in each one. One at a time, crack each egg into a small bowl and pour into an indentation. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to desired doneness, 10 to 12 minutes. Scatter the reserved scallion greens on top.
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